(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - POCKETBOOK, FAT
OTHER COMMON NAMES - POCKETBOOK, FAT;MUSSEL, PEARLY, POCKETBOOK and FAT
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Aquatic Molluscs
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MOLLUSCA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - BIVALVIA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - UNIONOIDA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - UNIONIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - POTAMILUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - CAPAX,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - POTAMILUS CAPAX
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Fat Pocketbook
Potamilus capax (Green, 1832)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Clam
PHYLUM: Mollusca CLASS: Bivalvia
ORDER: Unionoida FAMILY: Unionidae
This species is characterized by very inflated or globose valves,
thin and relatively fragile in structure when compared to other
species (01). The anterior end is broadly rounded and angular near
the hinge; posterior margin is narrow and rounded. Beaks are full,
rounded, and high (02). Beak cavity is very deep and large.
Periostracum is smooth, yellow to brown in color, sometimes with
narrow yellow bands parallel to growth lines (02). Valves do not
close perfectly on each other, but gape anteriorly and posteriorly.
Nacre color is bluish-white, occasionally light pink inside the
pallial line. Nacre often iridescent with bluish border. This
species is not sexually dimorphic.
The fat pocketbook was described as Unio capax by Green in 1832
and as Symphynota globosa by Lea in the same year (01). Green's
description preceed that of Lea by several months. It was moved to
the genus Proptera (03) and remained for more than 50 years. However
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
the genus Proptera, described by Rafinesque in 1819, was described
earlier by Rafinesque as Potamilus in 1818 (04). Those malacologists
favoring the law of priority use Potamilus, whereas those preferring
the "50 year rule" use Proptera.
Detailed descriptions and photographs of P. capax are included in
previous publications (01,04).
This species superficially resembles the more common and
widespread Lampsilis ovata; however, it can be distinguished from L.
ovata by its yellow-brown periostracum, absence of rays, and lack of
sexual dimorphism.
The type locality was St. Anthony's Falls, Mississippi River, MN
(01).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Arkansas; Federal Endangered
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The fat pocketbook (Potamilus capax) has been designated an
Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540),
as amended. The species has this status wherever found including
the States of AR, IL, IN, IA, MN, MO, NY, TX, and WI.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild
animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
DOD (COE) -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Arkansas, Indiana, and Minnesota
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: (AR) Game and Fish Commission;
(IN) Department of Natural Resources;
(MN) Department of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTES: (AR) Amendment 35 to the Arkansas Constitution;
(IN) Discretionary Order W12 8/84, Indiana Code
14-2-3-2;
(MN) MN Code of Agency Rules 1.5600-1.5601 MN
Stat. Annot. 97.488.
STATE: Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: (IL) Deptartment of Conservation;
(IA) Division of Fish and Game;
(MO) Conservation Commission;
(NY) Department of Environmental
Conservation;
(TX) Parks and Wildlife Department;
(WI) Department of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTES: (IL) 17 IL Admin. Code 1010.30;
(IA) IA Code Annot. 109A, 109A.1, and 109A.5;
(MO) MO Rev. Stat. 252.240; 3 Wildl. Code of MO
10-4.111;
(NY) 6 NY Code, Rules and Regs. 182.5;
(TX) Vernon's TX Codes Annot., Park and Wildl.
Code 68.001-68.021; 31 TX Admin. Code
57.131-57.136;
(WI) NR 27.03 WI Admin. Code.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
CITES I
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The fat pocketbook has possible value as collector's item.
Status - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
74/10/17:39 FR 37078/37079 - Notice of review
75/09/26:40 FR 44329/44333 - Proposed rule
76/06/26:40 FR 24062/24067 - Final rule, listed as Endangered
76/06/16:41 FR 24367/24378 - Proposed for CITES I
77/02/22:42 FR 10484/10485 - Final for CITES I
81/02/27:46 FR 14652/14658 - Five year review
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of review
Status - 3 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Streams and Canals
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial UB2
Riverine, upper perennial SB3
Riverine, upper perennial SB2
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
P. capax has been reported from the sand and mud substrates of
medium to large rivers, ranging at depths of less than 6 in. to more
than 8 ft. (05,12). Historic and present records indicate that it is
a riverine species that requires flowing water and stable substrate
(01). The species does not occur in the impounded sections of rivers
and is apparently quite sedentary in the substrate. Nothing is known
about specific environmental requirements for adults or any other life
stage.
Habitat of the glochidia is initially within the gills of the
female, then in the water column, and finally attached to a suitable
host. Any alteration of these life stage-specific habitats during its
life cycle would likely affect the long-term success of a population.
Habitat requirements or associations for the juvenile stage are
unknown.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Detritus
General Bacteria
General Phytoplankton
General Diatoms
General Zooplankton
General Fish
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
There are no known interspecific differences in feeding among
freshwater mussels (07). The glochidia are obligate parasites on the
gills or fins of fish. Adult mussels are filter-feeders and consume
particulate matter suspended in the water column. Identifiable
stomach contents almost imvariably include mud, desmids, diatoms,
other unicellular algae, protozoa, and zooplankters (13,14). No study
of the food habits of P. capax has been conducted; required/preferred
foods are therefore unknown.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Non-territorial.
The species is sedentary during its adult life and occurs in
medium to large rivers with others of its kind.
PERIODICITY:
No known periodicity.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
This species now occurs in medium to large rivers with stable
sand and mud substrates (01). It has been found between depths of
several inches to more than 8 feet (12). No species-specific
information on cover/shelter is available in the literature.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
P. capax is a flowing water species that occurs in sand and mud
substrates of medium to large rivers (01). Since this species is
believed to be sedentary and movement is inconsequential, this is the
type of environment where all life history processes are carried out,
including reproduction.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The reproductive cycle of P. capax is presumed to be similar to
other freshwater mussels. During spawning, males discharge sperm into
the water column, and the sperm are taken in by the females during
siphoning. Eggs are fertilized in the female's suprabranchial cavity
or gills, which serve as marsupia for embryos developing to the
parasitic stage (glochidia). Glochidia are released by the female and
must attach to a suitable fish host for metamorphosis to the free-
living juvenile stage.
P. capax is probably a long-term breeder, spawning in summer,
retaining glochidia through fall and winter, and releasing them in
late spring and early summer. Gravid females have been reported in
June through October (15). The glochidia are of the "axe-head" shape
(17). Fish hosts are unknown although hosts on congeneric species
include freshwater drum and white crappie (16,17,18,19,20).
PARENTAL CARE:
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
Except for retention of the glochidia within the gills of the
female prior to release, no parental care occurs.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No information is available on the population biology of this
species. The species may be taken occasionally by commercial
musselmen.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The required fish hosts for the parasitic glochidia of this
species are unknown (01).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
A recent survey on this species in the St. Francis River, AR was
completed by A. H. Clarke in 1984 for the Army Corps of Engineers.
This document has not been made public, but contains additional
information on the range and abundance of P. capax in that river.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
Adverse Water Temperature Alteration
Existing Water Temperature Alteration
Adverse Dissolved Oxygen Reduction
Existing Dissolved Oxygen Reduction
Adverse Migration barriers
Existing Migration barriers
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Applying fertilizers
Existing Applying fertilizers
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Applying pesticides
Existing Applying pesticides
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The greatest impact on this species has been from navigational
and flood control activities on rivers within its historic range (01).
Maintenance of the navigational channel in the upper Mississippi River
has probably eliminated suitable habitat, altered flow patterns in the
river, and produced excessive siltation and the release of
contaminants in those sediments (01). Shifting sand has resulted from
dredging in rivers such as the White River, AR and Wabash River, IN
(05,06). Dredging in the St. Francis River, AR has also resulted in
the loss of its mussel fauna (01).
Construction of impoundments has altered the substrate and
species composition of the fish community, thus jeopardizing the
reproductive success of some mussel species by eliminating required
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
fish hosts. Although siltation has been suggested as the most
significant adverse effect of impoundments on mussels (07), other
detrimental factors include lowered water temperatures, pH changes,
oxygen depletion, and dewatering of mussel beds below dams. Mussel
deaths can occur because silt interferes with feeding and can cause
suffocation (08,09). However, the possible effects of siltation on
mussels in the Mississippi River are contradictory (10,11).
Water pollution, particularly from agricultural runoff, has
probably affected the distribution of the fat pocketbook in the
Mississippi River drainage (01). However, the effects of non-point
source pollutants have not been documented.
All of the factors mentioned above are still considered potential
threats to the remaining populations of P. capax. Other factors which
may also be affecting this species are the invasion of the Asiatic
clam (Corbicula fluminea) and the smaller gene pool which may be
approaching the minimum population size needed for sufficient genetic
variation to respond to environmental changes. This species may also
be taken incidentally in commercial musseling operations.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. A Recovery Plan for the Fat
Pocketbook Pearly Mussel, Potamilus (=Proptera) capax (Green, 1832).
U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 57 pp.
Preserve existing population and habitat in the St. Francis
River, AR. Determine if viable populations exist outside the St.
Francis River system. Re-establish populations in historic habitat by
transplant of adult mussels, release of Glochidia infected host fish
or transplant of laboratory reared juveniles. Conduct life history
studies.
The existing population is protected from dredging actions, at
present.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. A Recovery Plan for the Fat
Pocketbook Pearly Mussel, Potamilus (=Proptera) capax (Green,
1832). U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Jackson, MS. 44 pp.
02 Utterback, W.I. 1916. The naiads of Missouri VI. Am. Midl. Nat.
4:387-400.
03 Ortmann, A.E. 1914. Untitled note. Nautilus 28:67.
04 Johnson, R.I. 1980. Zoogeography of North American Unionacea
(Mollusca:Bivalvia) north of the maximum Pleistocene glaciation.
Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 149:77-189.
05 Bates, J.M., and S.D. Dennis. 1983. Mussel (naiad) survey - St.
Francis, White, and Cache Rivers, Arkansas and Missouri. Final
Rep. U.S. Army Corps Engineers, Memphis Dist. 89 pp.
06 Clark, C.F. 1976. The freshwater naiads of the lower end of the
Wabash River, Mt. Carmel, Illinois to the south. Sterkiana 61:
1-14.
07 Fuller, S.L.H. 1974. Clams and mussels (Mollusca:Bivalvia).
Pages 215-273 IN: C.W. Hart and S.L.H. Fuller (eds.), Pollution
ecology of freshwater invertebrates. Academic Press, N.Y.
08 Ellis, M.M. 1931. Some factors affecting replacement of the
commercial freshwater mussels. U.S. Dept. Comm., Bur. Fish. Circ.
No. 7. 10 pp.
09 Ellis, M.M. 1936. Erosion silt as a factor in aquatic
environments. Ecology 17:29-42.
10 Coon, T.G., J.W. Eckblad, and P.M. Trygstad. 1977. Relative
abundance and growth of mussels (Mollusca:Eulamellibranchia) in
pools 8, 9, and 10 of the Mississippi River. Freshwat. Biol. 7:
279-288.
11 Fuller, S.L.H. 1978. Freshwater mussels (Mollusca:Bivalvia:
Unionidae) of the upper Mississippi River: observations at
selected sites within the 9 ft. channel navigation project on
behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Acad. Nat. Sci.,
Phila., Div. Limnol. Ecol. Rept. No. 78-33. 401 pp.
12 Parmalee, P.W. 1967. The freshwater mussels of Illinois. Ill.
State Mus., Pop. Sci. Ser. 8. 108 pp.
13 Coker, R.E., A.F. Shira, H.W. Clark, and A.D. Howard. 1921.
Natural history and propagation of fresh-water mussels. Bull. U.S.
Bur. Fish. 37:77-181.
14 Churchill, E.P., Jr., and S.I. Lewis. 1924. Food and feeding in
freshwater mussels. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish. 39:439-471.
15 Suber, T. 1912. Identification of the glochidia of freshwater
mussels. U.S. Bur. Fish. Doc.771. 10 pp.
16 Coker, R.E. and T. Suber. 1911. A note on the metamorphosis of
the mussel Lampsilis laevissimus. Biol. Bull. 20:179-182.
17 Suber, T. 1913. Notes on the natural hosts of freshwater mussels.
Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish. 32:110-116.
18 Howard, A.D. 1913. The catfish as a host for freshwater mussels.
Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 42:65-70.
19 Howard, A.D. 1914. Experiments in propagation of freshwater
mussels of the Quadrula group. Rept. U.S. Comm. Fish. 1913,
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species POCKETBOOK, FAT
Species Id ESIS404004
Date 13 MAR 96
Appendix IV:1-52.
20 Wilson, C.B. 1916. Copepod parasites of freshwater fishes and
their economic relations to mussel glochidia. Bull. U.S. Bur.
Fish. 34:331-347.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. A Recovery Plan for the Fat
Pocketbook Pearly Mussel, Potamilus (=Proptera) capax (Green,
1832). U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Jackson, MS. 44 pp.
02 Baker, F.C. 1928. Freshwater mollusca of Wisconsin. Part II.
Pelecypoda. Bull. Wisc. Geol. Nat. Hist. Surv. 70:1-495.
03 van der Schalie, H., and A. Van der Schalie. 1950. The mussels of
the Mississippi River. Am. Midl. Nat. 44:448-466.
04 Utterback, W.I. 1917. Naiad geography of Missouri. Am. Midl.
Nat. 5:26-30.
05 Call, R.E. 1900. A descriptive illustrated catalogue of the
mollusca of Indiana. Annu. Rep. Ind. Dept. Geol. Nat. Resour. 24
(1899):335-1017.
06 Goodrich, C., and H. Van der Schalie. 1944. A revision of the
mollusca of Indiana. Am. Midl. Nat. 32:256-326.
07 Johnson, R.I. 1980. Zoogeography of North American Unionacea
(Mollusca:Bivalvia) north of the maximum pleistocene glaciation.
Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 149:77-189.
08 Oesch, R.D. 1984. Missouri naiades. A guide to the mussels of
Missouri. Mo. Dept. Conserv., Jefferson City, MO. 270 pp.
09 Clarke, A.H. 1984. Mussels (naiad) study; St. Francis and White
Rivers; Cross, St. Francis and Monroe Counties; Arkansas. Draft
Report, Corps of Engineers, Memphis Dist. 17 pp.
10 Freitag, T. 1985. Personal communication. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Detroit Dist.
11 Ecological Analysts, Inc. 1981. Survey of freshwater mussels
(Pelecypoda:Unionacea) at selected sites in Pools 11 through 24 of
the Mississippi River. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island,
IL. 188 pp.
References - 2